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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 20 to 44 of 59. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phil on February 2, 2013, at 9:35:47
In reply to me too » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on February 2, 2013, at 7:35:37
Ah, my mothers wisdom some 30 years ago when I was starting meds.
Never had high blood pressure then Zyprexa and Seroquel = 50 pounds with Seroquel listing HBP as a side effect = taking two more meds to control something I never should have had in the first place. I hope I have a heart attack on the way to the doctor. As long as it's the big one. It's legit at least.
Burnt out.
(I get in these Phil moods, I always have, it will pass) This black architecture of my mind used to freak people out. It's what I turn to to cope. I'm still here.
Posted by Phil on February 2, 2013, at 11:09:32
In reply to Re: Blood Pressure, posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 2, 2013, at 3:52:25
Maybe I should eat and take my meds before I decide to let Dr Gloom out of his box.
Jono, I'll write down your suggestion and run it by my doc.
Now for weirdness, blood pressure today:9:45am 135/91 pulse 64 (after 2 cups of coffee)
10:25am 126/85 pulse 72I wish I had a week to track it because I don't know what's going on.
Thanks babblers for putting up with me. I think that 50% of my posts I wish I could do over. I go 8 years back in the archives and am horrified by so many of my posts. I should stick to the facts but I usually have no clue as to what they are.
Posted by jane d on February 2, 2013, at 11:56:17
In reply to Sorry about that » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phil on February 2, 2013, at 11:09:32
> Jono, I'll write down your suggestion and run it by my doc.
> Now for weirdness, blood pressure today:
>
> 9:45am 135/91 pulse 64 (after 2 cups of coffee)
> 10:25am 126/85 pulse 72
>
> I wish I had a week to track it because I don't know what's going on.How reliable is the meter you are using to test it? I've never found I get consistent readings from either the drug store machines or the highly rated home machine I bought. For that matter I get bad readings at some doctors offices unless they have and bother to use the right size cuff.
As to Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide you can get either the combo pill or either/both alone as $4. generics. Personally I don't like combo pills but there have been times when saving $4. a month ($10 for 3 months) would have been more important.
Posted by Phil on February 2, 2013, at 12:26:27
In reply to Re: Sorry about that, posted by jane d on February 2, 2013, at 11:56:17
Not sure Jane. It's an Omron. A friend who was a deputy sheriff and EMT gave it to me. He's so tight he squeaks when he walks so he may have paid $7 at the flea market for it.
I'll look around and see if I can find any info on the model. It's consistent today. Just took it again...134/77.
Posted by Phil on February 2, 2013, at 12:34:30
In reply to Re: Sorry about that, posted by jane d on February 2, 2013, at 11:56:17
It has good ratings which always make me feel better.
Posted by baseball55 on February 2, 2013, at 18:36:52
In reply to Sorry about that » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phil on February 2, 2013, at 11:09:32
My husband had high BP when he saw a doctor for a physical last year. They told him to take his BP once a day, same time, for a month. Taking it every hour will just make you crazy. BP goes all over the place. Exercise, moving around raises BP. Take it once when you get up in the morning.
Posted by Phillipa on February 2, 2013, at 19:17:41
In reply to Re: Sorry about that, posted by baseball55 on February 2, 2013, at 18:36:52
And contrary to what happened here in past the most accurate BP reading are with a blow up blood pressure cuff and another using a stethescope. Agree about same time a day also. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on February 2, 2013, at 21:10:55
In reply to me too » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on February 2, 2013, at 7:35:37
I know you can also all the hiking snip a bit off it at night. That's what I'm doing P
Posted by gadchik on February 3, 2013, at 7:13:11
In reply to Re: me too » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on February 2, 2013, at 21:10:55
I planned to do just that, snip off a bit 3x a week for 2 weeks,then 5x a week for 2 weeks...just get down to .25mg, stay there, see how it goes. I would feel at .25mg, if I were ever to suddenly not have any, I could just stop w/o too much agg. Altho, I notice, I am very sensitive to even a small reduction. I dont get more anxious,just dizzy and fluish feeling, heart weirdness.
Posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 8:59:06
In reply to Re: me too » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on February 3, 2013, at 7:13:11
I was so weak and dizzy almost all day yesterday that I took my phone to bed with me. Tachycardia(been there twice) stroke? Stranger thing have happened. Could be constipation, I've felt this way from that.
So I had the phone for 911 if I started getting telltale signs of a stroke or felt that bad feeling of tachycardia coming on.
See the doc tomorrow and may have to spend cash for tests. Last thing I needed without insurance.
I'm trying to remain positive. HA!
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 3, 2013, at 11:16:09
In reply to Dizzy / weak, posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 8:59:06
> I was so weak and dizzy almost all day yesterday that I took my phone to bed with me. Tachycardia(been there twice) stroke? Stranger thing have happened. Could be constipation, I've felt this way from that.
> So I had the phone for 911 if I started getting telltale signs of a stroke or felt that bad feeling of tachycardia coming on.
> See the doc tomorrow and may have to spend cash for tests. Last thing I needed without insurance.
> I'm trying to remain positive. HA!Phil, did you check your BP when you got dizzy and tachycardic? If you did, what were the results?
Kat
Posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 12:05:53
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak » Phil, posted by ChicagoKat on February 3, 2013, at 11:16:09
148/87 was the last at 5. I feel better today but not great. First thing this morning it was 145/88.
Pulse was 70 and 73.
I think it's nap time.
Posted by gadchik on February 3, 2013, at 14:40:08
In reply to Dizzy / weak, posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 8:59:06
This type of thing would send me into an anxiety frenzy. Plz take care, and hang on until the morrow. You are seeing dr pronto? Let us know that all is well.
Posted by schleprock on February 3, 2013, at 15:25:22
In reply to Dizzy / weak, posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 8:59:06
> I was so weak and dizzy almost all day yesterday that I took my phone to bed with me. Tachycardia(been there twice) stroke? Stranger thing have happened. Could be constipation, I've felt this way from that.
> So I had the phone for 911 if I started getting telltale signs of a stroke or felt that bad feeling of tachycardia coming on.
> See the doc tomorrow and may have to spend cash for tests. Last thing I needed without insurance.
> I'm trying to remain positive. HA!Are you sure this isn't due to your recent alcohol consumption?
Posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 16:22:09
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak » Phil, posted by schleprock on February 3, 2013, at 15:25:22
I know that stuff didn't do me any favors but it was maybe two thimbles full over a two hour period. But that mix of stuff I was drinking and then throwing up probably got this started.
Plus I think I've been freaked out over the mere thought of HBP. It wasn't in my play book.I feel better though. Last night it was all I could do to not get more and more anxious making everything worse. Old age is creeping up and I'm just not as bulletproof as I used to be.
Thanks
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 16:50:59
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak » schleprock, posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 16:22:09
The readings you're getting arnt high enough to give you any symptoms such as headache of diziness, if you are getting symptoms like these, I'd get them checked out, because there mustbe another cause besides your BP
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 3, 2013, at 19:19:46
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak » ChicagoKat, posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 12:05:53
> 148/87 was the last at 5. I feel better today but not great. First thing this morning it was 145/88.
> Pulse was 70 and 73.
> I think it's nap time.OK good. Your BP still needs to come down some, but those readings are not scary. Did you say you were seeing a doc tomorrow? That's good. They'll put you on something to help, and like I said there are lots of very cheap antinypertensives out there; just let them know you need something not too expensive. Also, if you suffer from depression, make sure, if they want to put you on a beta blocker, that they give you Atenolol. It's the least likely of all the beta blockers to worsen depression. Some of them, like propranolol for example, can really make depression worse. But Atenolol has virtually no effect. Good luck!
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 3, 2013, at 19:22:00
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak, posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 16:50:59
> The readings you're getting arnt high enough to give you any symptoms such as headache of diziness, if you are getting symptoms like these, I'd get them checked out, because there mustbe another cause besides your BP
Phil, Jono makes a very good point. When you see the doc, tell them about the dizziness and headaches you've been having.
Kat
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 19:48:57
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak, posted by ChicagoKat on February 3, 2013, at 19:22:00
Kat, for the range of HBP Phil is having, i think that an ace inhibitor + low dose hydrochlorothiazide would be appropriate, they have a good record so far as reducing mortality and improving endpoints and they are $4 prescriptions. Side effects are minor excpet 1 in 10 gets that dry "Capoten Cough" and will need to change to another drug.
What do you think?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 20:06:00
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak, posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 19:48:57
Also, before starting a lifetime of antihypertensive drugs, it would be worth considering a 24 hour halter monitor, a machine that you wear for 24 hours that measures your BP every 30 minutes day and night, to make sure you realy are in need of drugs before starting them
if you dont have insurance, cost might be an issue, in that case, I'd atleast buy a new blood pressure monitor and measure it your self every day for 4 weeks before committing to meds.
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 3, 2013, at 20:10:40
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak, posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 19:48:57
> Kat, for the range of HBP Phil is having, i think that an ace inhibitor + low dose hydrochlorothiazide would be appropriate, they have a good record so far as reducing mortality and improving endpoints and they are $4 prescriptions. Side effects are minor excpet 1 in 10 gets that dry "Capoten Cough" and will need to change to another drug.
>
> What do you think?Personally, I think an ACE inhibitor on its own would be the best choice. I think it's safer to start with one agent, then add a second only if necessary. I don't think Phil's latest readings warrant using 2 agents. But I do think starting with an ACE inhibitor would be the best option. I'm on one myself, and I get that captopril cough occasionally myself. It's annoying, but I keep Tic Tacs with me everywhere I go, and they always help.
Kat
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 20:43:55
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak » jono_in_adelaide, posted by ChicagoKat on February 3, 2013, at 20:10:40
Good point!
Posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2013, at 20:59:12
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak, posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 20:43:55
Phil needs to speak up as I think he said in this or another thread that he's on lithium and if on lithium you can't take a HTN med that is also a diuretic. Phillipa
Posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 21:02:54
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak, posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 20:06:00
OK. I had no idea that BP meds were as convoluted, confusing and screwed up as psych meds.
Posted by Phil on February 3, 2013, at 21:09:54
In reply to Re: Dizzy / weak » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2013, at 20:59:12
Yeah I've been reading as much as I can understand on these classes of meds. There's one diuretic that sounds like it wouldn't mess with Li levels called Lasix.
Some other meds mentioned move one towards diabetes and I have that monkey with Seroquel.
I'm not reading any more but will try to have questions that lead us in the right direction.
I'd love to have that 24 hour monitor thing.
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